PABLO, MONTANA 59855 ISSN: 0528-8592
B/6 SKY COUNTRY
Chief Charlo
il
Chief Koostatah^
VOLUME 10 NUMBER 6
NEWSPAPER OF THE SAUSH. PEND (T OREILLE AND KOOTENAI TRIBE OF THE FLATHE^WfWWW (^fiWi^^STERN MONTANA
Northern Tier pipeline: 509 'yes' votes vs. 420 'no' votes
AUGUST 1,1981
Results of the July 18 Northern Tier pipeline referendum vote were officially tallied July 23 with the final score of 929 votes cast thus: Yes--509, No-^20. Forty-five percent of the eligible tribal voters turned out that Saturday; fifty-five percent of those want the pipeline to cross the Reservation under the general terms listed on the ballot.
Five districts of eight were in favor of the deal, three of them overwhelmingly. Poison, Hot Springs and Pablo voters clearly approved the negotiated deal as vote totals were nearly 3-to-l in favor. Ronan had eight more people in favor than were opposed and St. Ignatius squeaked by with two "pro" votes more than the opposers.
Arlee, probably predictably, voted "no" by a 2-to-l ratio. Arlee will feel most of the impact from the pipeline's construction as it borders the Jocko Primitive Area. Dixon, too, turned
down the deal 2-to-l. Voters in Elmo, also, voted mostly against the agreement. The final tally is below.
Brief re-cap of events
The NTPC pipeline issue has been on a roller coaster ride here on the Rez since 1978. A cursory glance through some Char-Koosta back issues gives this timeline of events:
Late 1978: Council won't talk to NTPC.
February 1979: Council won't talk to NTPC.
March 15, 1979: A headline announces "No pipeline and that's final".
February 1980: Almost a year has passed with the Council steadfast in its determination not to negotiate. An election has since come and gone, though, and a Council "rookie" suggests that "we ought to at least listen".
March 1980: NTPC's patience and
CITY YES NO TOTAL
Hot Springs 53 19 72
Elmo 23 37 60
Poison 114 30 144
Pablo 81 29 110
Ronan 78 70 148
St. Ignatius 85 83 168
Arlee 60 126 186
Dixon 15 26 41
509 420 929
perseverance is rewarded. The Council agrees to listen and hears an opening bid of ten million dollars to be paid over twenty years. The offer is considered.
May 1980: The debate heats up. District meetings are set up. The atmosphere seems negative - the most vocal people, anyway, are against the pipeline's crossing the Rez at any price.
June 1980: The Council agrees to accept $200,000 for a feasibility study of the project.
August 1980: Three consulting groups are recommended to do the aforementioned study. A Denver firm, Stearns-Rogers, is selected.
December 1980: Stearns-Rogers submits preliminary findings to the Council, which authorizes further study and negotiations.
June 1981: Six more months pass. The people meet with their councilmen at various district meetings. The Council
(Continued on page 2)
Inside this issue
Elmo Pow- Wow results..........................Page 6
"Letters to the Editor"..........................Page 8
Apprentice program continues success.............Page 10
Arlee Parade.................................Page 12
"Around the Campfire"........................Page 20
August Calendar..............................Page 21
Council Meeting minutes........................Page 22